Montana 4-H Rec Lab

Published: 2022
By Jennifer Saunders

Montana 4-H District 3, which includes Fergus/Petroleum County, had the exciting opportunity to host State 4-H Recreation Lab! Our county committee of five teens, two adult leaders, and the Extension staff began work in the fall. Monthly conference calls began in November with the other four counties: Judith Basin, Cascade, Chouteau, and Teton. The Hobson School was selected as our location, the dates were set for March, and 'Highway 2022-The Road to Success' was chosen for the theme. Responsibilities were divided and Fergus County volunteered to organize registration, group activities, and entertainment. One-hundred and seven teens and 36 adults from 32 counties attended Rec Lab. They each chose four workshops from a selection of 37. Workshop topics varied from crafts and recreation to leadership and team building. Kyle Shobe was the opening speaker, a 4-H alumni who has achieved great success in many different avenues- music, business, auctioneering, and as a rodeo announcer. Karen Grosz was the closing speaker, she walked the group through a hands-on exercise related to setting and achieving goals. Everyone left the event prepared to be better and more inspired leaders in their 4-H club, county, and statewide programs. Our local team had the added benefit of experience in planning a large event.